Hanging of the Greens Advent Service Celebrate the beginning of the advent season with a special service that reveals the religious significance of centuries of Christmas customs and music by several choirs, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1. Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, 26 West St., Leominster. (978) 534-5164.

Santa Parade Hosted by Milford Permanent Firefighters Local 2140, 4 p.m. Dec. 1. Veterans Memorial Drive, Milford. The route will travel west on Medway Road, Route 109, to East Main Street, Route 16, continue westbound to the end at Draper Park.

Northboro

Book Signing Meet and greet author, chef, and television personality Mary Ann Esposito, creator and host of the longest running cooking series in television history, "Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito," noon-2 p.m. Dec. 1. Wegmans Northborough, 9102 Shops Way, Northboro. Pick up a free voucher at any Wegmans service desk to reserve your space. Books must be purchased at Wegmans to attend.

Dazzle Light Parade 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The parade starts at the monument at Grove and Ring streets and travels to the terminus of Kennedy Drive at Providence Street, Putnam.

Shrewsbury

Author Talk Gayle Suzanne, a resident of Charlton, will talk about her new book "It's in the Little Things," 2 p.m. Dec. 1. Free and open to the public. Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St., Shrewsbury. Register online at www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/library, or call (508) 841-8531.

Public Menorah Lighting nad Chanukah Celebration 1 p.m. Dec. 1. Free and open to all members of the community. Shrewsbury at the Town Common, Route 140 and Main Street, Shrewsbury.

Sturbridge

Trot with Ted Run and Walk Plan to burn those extra calories, and raise money for the Tantasqua Education Foundation by participating in the first annual Trot With Ted. Sign-in and event day registration, 8 a.m.; run walk, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1. Advance registration by Nov. 30, $25; race day, $30. Tantasqua High School, 319 Brookfield Road, Fiskdale.